All kids tend to gain weight as they grow but for Shobha, watching her child look lean compared to other children his age is a matter of concern. Even though she tries to include a healthy variety of meals in her child’s daily food intake, she cannot quite put a finger on the reason why her child is not gaining healthy weight.
The right type of nutritious foods can indeed help children gain healthy weight, but for this to happen, they need to be fed with nutrient and calorie-dense foods which promote weight.
Best Foods for Weight Gain in Children
It is best to consider a wide range of food groups when making weight gain recipes for kids. Ideally, it would be best if you try to include the following food groups in their diet:
- Proteins: Eggs, nuts, seed butter, seeds, soy proteins, red meat, and pork sausage.
- Dairy: Full fat yogurt, buttermilk, sour cream, full-fat cheese, cream cheese, and whole milk.
- Fats and Oils: Avocado oil, salad dressings, olive oil, canola oil, and butter.
- Carbohydrates: Rice, oats, corn, pasta, potatoes, and whole-grain bread.
- Fruits and Vegetables: Coconut, figs, avocado, squash, dates, raisins, and bananas.
- Beverages: Smoothies with yogurt, coconut milk, and protein shakes.
Reading this list, are you eager to know about the best weight gain recipes for kids but also wondering why your child should gain more weight? Here is the answer to that question.
Why Does Your Child Need To Gain Weight?
There can be many reasons why your child is not gaining healthy weight and looks quite lean as compared to other kids their age. It could be a lack of nutrition or the presence of a disease in the body. Whatever the factor responsible for it may be, it can lead to your child falling behind in their growth pattern.
This can lead to several problems in the body as they grow in age. To overcome this problem, you will need to ensure adequate serving of nutritious food in your child’s diet and set an example for them by demonstrating healthy eating habits.
Let us take a look at some weight gain recipes for kids, prepared using foods that are ideal for healthy weight gain.
Best Foods For Weight Gain In Kids
Potatoes
Since potatoes provide carbs to the body that are converted into glucose, any portion of it that the body does not use will be stored in the form of fats. There are many dishes that you can make using potatoes, right from salads to sweet potato soup to pancakes.
Eggs
As a rich source of proteins, vitamins, and healthy fats, eggs can help your child achieve a fit weight bracket. You can prepare egg curries, omelets, boiled eggs, and mashed eggs for your child by adding tasty spices that make them appealing for kids.
Bananas
Packed with carbohydrates, bananas are versatile fruits that can be consumed raw or blended into a milkshake to devour it with fun. Studies show that one single banana can offer up to 105 calories, and when you combine it with milk and nuts, it becomes a power punch of carbs and proteins for your child.
Another interesting way to encourage your child to consume bananas is by adding them to their salads, desserts, and custard.
Dairy
Dairy products like milk, cheese, cottage cheese, and butter are staples when it comes to getting the right dose of calcium and proteins in your child’s diet. You can prepare healthy milkshakes using nuts or make a salad using cottage cheese and cheese, to make things delicious for your little one.
Cereals are another great option that you can consider while serving meals to your child.
Nuts
Shred some cashews, almonds, and pistachios to make a fine mixture of nuts and add it to your child’s milk or dessert to help them consume their goodness without making a fuss about it.
Beans And Lentils
Rich in proteins and enough carbohydrates, not only are beans and lentils an excellent source of fiber for the body, but they are also a good source of several vitamins. Cooked beans and lentils are the best way to serve them to your kid, or you can also prepare a salad using them to give them something different to eat.
Fruit Smoothies
Most kids can be fussy when it is about eating fruits and vegetables. One of the best ways to serve them with the right quantity of fruits is to make a fresh smoothie for them. For this purpose, you can collect as many fruits as you would like.
This can include mangoes, bananas, pomegranates, apples, and more. Simply blend them together to make a smoothie which they will love to take. Make sure that your smoothie turns out to be a bright color, which further attracts kids.
Most weight gain recipes for kids include these food items since they are known to deliver enough carbohydrates and calories to the body. You can consider making pureed food or whole food for your child, depending on their age.
The best weight gain recipes for kids target healthy sources of carbohydrates, calories, proteins, and essential vitamins so that kids can get their fair share of nutrition but in a healthy way. Remember that healthy weight gain is not about eating too much but eating the right things.
The Bottom Line
To make the best weight gain recipes for kids, ensure that your child enjoys what you serve them. Do not forget to serve the food in a visually appealing manner for them so that they feel cheerful about eating their meals.
The right eating habits and adequate weight will make your child physically active and put them in a good state of mind to attend to their daily activities. If you are still unable to understand why your child is not gaining healthy weight, it may be best to consult a doctor and take their opinion on the matter.
